Chapter 1

~Seven years later~

(Chloe's POV)

I sat on the uncomfortable bed as I clung to the blanket that was wrapped around me. My whole body was shivering in fear. He had tried again, and yet again his wife was here to stop his drunken self. He had left me alone in my locked room, but not before painfully pushing me to the floor and hurting my now bruised arm. My hands shook and I could hear their bedroom door close for the night and soon the sound of snoring would echo down these halls of hell.

How many more homes did I have to be sent to? How much more will I suffer? I'm only thirteen, so the answer could be many more home with far more suffering. My eyes glazed over, but I refused to cry anymore. I looked out the window at the half moon that lightly light up the deserted streets while biting my lip. I quietly moved off my bed and pulled out my old beat up backpack that has been to every home with me. It contained what little I owned in it. A picture of me and my parents, a small teddy bear, and some cash I've managed to swipe from previous foster families. I counted the cash a couple times and determined I had enough for a bus ticket and maybe some food. My body stiffened as I heard a bathroom door open and close. There was a tense silence before I heard the 'mother' return to the bedroom and I let out a breath of relief.

I refuse to live like this any longer.

So, I quietly packed a light pair of PJs, a pair of sweatpants, some underwear, and a couple shirts in my small bag. I placed my precious childhood teddy bear and the picture of my parents in my bag before quietly zipping it up and putting on my old torn up sneakers. Pulling on an old rain jacket, I threw the backpack on and crawled over my bed to the window. I pressed my lips together as I slowly pulled the window up, being careful not to make a noise. A part of me thanked God that my small room was on the first floor and all I had to do was climb out the window and jump a little to get out. Once my feet hit the ground, I quickly looked up to the first floor of the house to make sure those people didn't hear me, before turning on my heel and running down the street as fast as I could. I ducked in shadows and hid behind trees, fences, and other objects to keep from being seen. Finally, after miles of walking I spotted a bus station.

Gathering up my courage I ran to the ticketing booth and purchased a one way to Athens, Greece. The ticket cost more than I though and with a dejected sigh, I knew the little money I had left wouldn't be getting me food anytime soon. Pushing that thought aside, I boarded the bus and ignored the strange look the driver gave me. Taking a seat in the very back by the window, I pulled my legs up onto the seat and clutched my backpack to my chest, quietly preying for the bus to move. For how late it was, I was surprised that the buss was going to be full, but I ignored the other passengers as I kept my head down and continued to clutch my bag closer, hoping no one will do anything about me. I could faintly tell someone had sat next to me but didn't bother to look at them. The less people who see my face, the more likely it will be that I can get away.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, the bus slowly pulled out of the station and I let my body physically relax after an hour when I saw a sight that announced we were officially out of the city limits.

"Running?" A voice quietly asked next to me and I quickly snapped my head to the person sitting next to me. My eyes widened a little at the blue-eyed and extremely pale man next to me, who was wearing a very expensive looking outfit with a gold necklace resting over his chest and V shaped pendent attached to the chain. My heart raced at the fear of being caught and my mind swerved with thoughts on what to so.

"N-No," I finally stuttered out and watched as his lips formed a knowing smirk as he raised a perfect eyebrow.

"Oh?" he murmured, "then why so tense?" I stiffened even more and physically flinched when my bruised arm brushed the side of the bus as I moved away from him a little. His head tilted a little and I thought I saw his eyes flash to my hurt arm for a second and they held slight curiosity. As if he could see the hand shaped bruise on my upper arm and my swollen wrist that was hidden under the long sleeve. No, there's no way he could see any of that…

"I just don't like busses," I finally said hoping that would make him leave me alone. He shifted in his seat a little and crossed one leg over the other as he rested his hands in his lap while entwining his fingers, the whole movement was so graceful and so well practiced I almost wondered if he was real.

"Now why don't I believe you?" he said quietly, almost like he was intentionally making sure other passengers couldn't hear us, or at least the ones that were still awake.

"You don't have to," I muttered and quickly looked out the window, hoping this will finally shut him up. In the reflection of the window I could see a small smirk twitch at his lips; but as he opened his mouth, his phone rang, and he quickly answered it. He spoke in a hushed tone and in some other language. Not having his attention on my anymore made me relax and I quietly unzipped my bag a little and pulled out the slightly wrinkled photo of me and my parents. I stared at the photo, once again willing away tears while I slightly promised them, I wouldn't give up and I would make a new life for myself, no matter what it took. When I felt that man's eyes on me again, I quickly put away the photo and clutched the bag close to my chest before turning my back to him and cuddling up in the seat. I slowly fell asleep to the sound of his hushed phone conversation and the wind blowing around the moving bus.

Author's Note:

Once again! This will no longer be a spin off from VSA, but i do plan to keep a similar story line.

Hope you will all like the new story though, I think I'm going to be much happier with it this time around. I will try to update as much as I can :)